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Taxact free Publication 526 - Main Content Table of Contents Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible ContributionsTypes of Qualified Organizations Contributions You Can DeductContributions From Which You Benefit Expenses Paid for Student Living With You Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services Expenses of Whaling Captains Contributions You Cannot DeductContributions to Individuals Contributions to Nonqualified Organizations Contributions From Which You Benefit Value of Time or Services Personal Expenses Appraisal Fees Contributions to Donor-Advised Funds Partial Interest in Property Contributions of PropertyContributions Subject to Special Rules Determining Fair Market Value Giving Property That Has Decreased in Value Giving Property That Has Increased in Value Penalty When To DeductChecks. Taxact free Text message. Taxact free Credit card. Taxact free Pay-by-phone account. Taxact free Stock certificate. Taxact free Promissory note. Taxact free Option. Taxact free Borrowed funds. Taxact free Conditional gift. Taxact free Limits on Deductions50% Limit 30% Limit Special 30% Limit for Capital Gain Property 20% Limit Special 50% Limit for Qualified Conservation Contributions How To Figure Your Deduction When Limits Apply Records To KeepCash Contributions Noncash Contributions Out-of-Pocket Expenses How To ReportReporting expenses for student living with you. Taxact free Total deduction over $500. Taxact free Deduction over $5,000 for one item. Taxact free Vehicle donations. Taxact free Clothing and household items not in good used condition. Taxact free Easement on building in historic district. Taxact free Deduction over $500,000. Taxact free How To Get Tax HelpLow Income Taxpayer Clinics Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. Taxact free Most organizations, other than churches and governments, must apply to the IRS to become a qualified organization. Taxact free How to check whether an organization can receive deductible charitable contributions. Taxact free You can ask any organization whether it is a qualified organization, and most will be able to tell you. Taxact free Or go to IRS. Taxact free gov. Taxact free Click on “Tools” and then on “Exempt Organizations Select Check” (www. Taxact free irs. Taxact free gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Select-Check). Taxact free This online tool will enable you to search for qualified organizations. Taxact free You can also call the IRS to find out if an organization is qualified. Taxact free Call 1-877-829-5500. Taxact free People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and who have access to TTY/TDD equipment can call 1-800-829-4059. Taxact free Deaf or hard of hearing individuals can also contact the IRS through relay services such as the Federal Relay Service at www. Taxact free gsa. Taxact free gov/fedrelay. Taxact free Types of Qualified Organizations Generally, only the following types of organizations can be qualified organizations. Taxact free A community chest, corporation, trust, fund, or foundation organized or created in or under the laws of the United States, any state, the District of Columbia, or any possession of the United States (including Puerto Rico). Taxact free It must, however, be organized and operated only for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. Taxact free Certain organizations that foster national or international amateur sports competition also qualify. Taxact free War veterans' organizations, including posts, auxiliaries, trusts, or foundations, organized in the United States or any of its possessions (including Puerto Rico). Taxact free Domestic fraternal societies, orders, and associations operating under the lodge system. Taxact free (Your contribution to this type of organization is deductible only if it is to be used solely for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. Taxact free ) Certain nonprofit cemetery companies or corporations. Taxact free (Your contribution to this type of organization is not deductible if it can be used for the care of a specific lot or mausoleum crypt. Taxact free ) The United States or any state, the District of Columbia, a U. Taxact free S. Taxact free possession (including Puerto Rico), a political subdivision of a state or U. Taxact free S. Taxact free possession, or an Indian tribal government or any of its subdivisions that perform substantial government functions. Taxact free (Your contribution to this type of organization is deductible only if it is to be used solely for public purposes. Taxact free ) Example 1. Taxact free You contribute cash to your city's police department to be used as a reward for information about a crime. Taxact free The city police department is a qualified organization, and your contribution is for a public purpose. Taxact free You can deduct your contribution. Taxact free Example 2. Taxact free You make a voluntary contribution to the social security trust fund, not earmarked for a specific account. Taxact free Because the trust fund is part of the U. Taxact free S. Taxact free Government, you contributed to a qualified organization. Taxact free You can deduct your contribution. Taxact free Examples. Taxact free The following list gives some examples of qualified organizations. Taxact free Churches, a convention or association of churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other religious organizations. Taxact free Most nonprofit charitable organizations such as the American Red Cross and the United Way. Taxact free Most nonprofit educational organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, colleges, and museums. Taxact free This also includes nonprofit daycare centers that provide childcare to the general public if substantially all the childcare is provided to enable parents and guardians to be gainfully employed. Taxact free However, if your contribution is a substitute for tuition or other enrollment fee, it is not deductible as a charitable contribution, as explained later under Contributions You Cannot Deduct . Taxact free Nonprofit hospitals and medical research organizations. Taxact free Utility company emergency energy programs, if the utility company is an agent for a charitable organization that assists individuals with emergency energy needs. Taxact free Nonprofit volunteer fire companies. Taxact free Nonprofit organizations that develop and maintain public parks and recreation facilities. Taxact free Civil defense organizations. Taxact free Canadian charities. Taxact free You may be able to deduct contributions to certain Canadian charitable organizations covered under an income tax treaty with Canada. Taxact free To deduct your contribution to a Canadian charity, you generally must have income from sources in Canada. Taxact free See Publication 597, Information on the United States-Canada Income Tax Treaty, for information on how to figure your deduction. Taxact free Mexican charities. Taxact free Under the U. Taxact free S. Taxact free -Mexico income tax treaty, a contribution to a Mexican charitable organization may be deductible, but only if and to the extent the contribution would have been treated as a charitable contribution to a public charity created or organized under U. Taxact free S. Taxact free law. Taxact free To deduct your contribution to a Mexican charity, you must have income from sources in Mexico. Taxact free The limits described in Limits on Deductions , later, apply and are figured using your income from Mexican sources. Taxact free Israeli charities. Taxact free Under the U. Taxact free S. Taxact free -Israel income tax treaty, a contribution to an Israeli charitable organization is deductible if and to the extent the contribution would have been treated as a charitable contribution if the organization had been created or organized under U. Taxact free S. Taxact free law. Taxact free To deduct your contribution to an Israeli charity, you must have income from sources in Israel. Taxact free The limits described in Limits on Deductions , later, apply. Taxact free The deduction is also limited to 25% of your adjusted gross income from Israeli sources. Taxact free Contributions You Can Deduct Generally, you can deduct contributions of money or property you make to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. Taxact free A contribution is “for the use of” a qualified organization when it is held in a legally enforceable trust for the qualified organization or in a similar legal arrangement. Taxact free The contributions must be made to a qualified organization and not set aside for use by a specific person. Taxact free If you give property to a qualified organization, you generally can deduct the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution. Taxact free See Contributions of Property , later. Taxact free Your deduction for charitable contributions generally cannot be more than 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), but in some cases 20% and 30% limits may apply. Taxact free In addition, the total of your charitable contributions deduction and certain other itemized deductions may be limited. Taxact free See Limits on Deductions , later. Taxact free Table 1 in this publication gives examples of contributions you can and cannot deduct. Taxact free Contributions From Which You Benefit If you receive a benefit as a result of making a contribution to a qualified organization, you can deduct only the amount of your contribution that is more than the value of the benefit you receive. Taxact free Also see Contributions From Which You Benefit under Contributions You Cannot Deduct, later. Taxact free If you pay more than fair market value to a qualified organization for goods or services, the excess may be a charitable contribution. Taxact free For the excess amount to qualify, you must pay it with the intent to make a charitable contribution. Taxact free Example 1. Taxact free You pay $65 for a ticket to a dinner-dance at a church. Taxact free Your entire $65 payment goes to the church. Taxact free The ticket to the dinner-dance has a fair market value of $25. Taxact free When you buy your ticket, you know its value is less than your payment. Taxact free To figure the amount of your charitable contribution, subtract the value of the benefit you receive ($25) from your total payment ($65). Taxact free You can deduct $40 as a charitable contribution to the church. Taxact free Example 2. Taxact free At a fundraising auction conducted by a charity, you pay $600 for a week's stay at a beach house. Taxact free The amount you pay is no more than the fair rental value. Taxact free You have not made a deductible charitable contribution. Taxact free Athletic events. Taxact free If you make a payment to, or for the benefit of, a college or university and, as a result, you receive the right to buy tickets to an athletic event in the athletic stadium of the college or university, you can deduct 80% of the payment as a charitable contribution. Taxact free If any part of your payment is for tickets (rather than the right to buy tickets), that part is not deductible. Taxact free Subtract the price of the tickets from your payment. Taxact free You can deduct 80% of the remaining amount as a charitable contribution. Taxact free Example 1. Taxact free You pay $300 a year for membership in a university's athletic scholarship program. Taxact free The only benefit of membership is that you have the right to buy one season ticket for a seat in a designated area of the stadium at the university's home football games. Taxact free You can deduct $240 (80% of $300) as a charitable contribution. Taxact free Example 2. Taxact free The facts are the same as in Example 1 except your $300 payment includes the purchase of one season ticket for the stated ticket price of $120. Taxact free You must subtract the usual price of a ticket ($120) from your $300 payment. Taxact free The result is $180. Taxact free Your deductible charitable contribution is $144 (80% of $180). Taxact free Charity benefit events. Taxact free If you pay a qualified organization more than fair market value for the right to attend a charity ball, banquet, show, sporting event, or other benefit event, you can deduct only the amount that is more than the value of the privileges or other benefits you receive. Taxact free If there is an established charge for the event, that charge is the value of your benefit. Taxact free If there is no established charge, the reasonable value of the right to attend the event is the value of your benefit. Taxact free Whether you use the tickets or other privileges has no effect on the amount you can deduct. Taxact free However, if you return the ticket to the qualified organization for resale, you can deduct the entire amount you paid for the ticket. Taxact free Even if the ticket or other evidence of payment indicates that the payment is a “contribution,” this does not mean you can deduct the entire amount. Taxact free If the ticket shows the price of admission and the amount of the contribution, you can deduct the contribution amount. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You pay $40 to see a special showing of a movie for the benefit of a qualified organization. Taxact free Printed on the ticket is “Contribution–$40. Taxact free ” If the regular price for the movie is $8, your contribution is $32 ($40 payment − $8 regular price). Taxact free Membership fees or dues. Taxact free You may be able to deduct membership fees or dues you pay to a qualified organization. Taxact free However, you can deduct only the amount that is more than the value of the benefits you receive. Taxact free You cannot deduct dues, fees, or assessments paid to country clubs and other social organizations. Taxact free They are not qualified organizations. Taxact free Certain membership benefits can be disregarded. Taxact free Both you and the organization can disregard the following membership benefits if you get them in return for an annual payment of $75 or less. Taxact free Any rights or privileges, other than those discussed under Athletic events , earlier, that you can use frequently while you are a member, such as: Free or discounted admission to the organization's facilities or events, Free or discounted parking, Preferred access to goods or services, and Discounts on the purchase of goods and services. Taxact free Admission, while you are a member, to events open only to members of the organization if the organization reasonably projects that the cost per person (excluding any allocated overhead) is not more than $10. Taxact free 20. Taxact free Token items. Taxact free You do not have to reduce your contribution by the value of any benefit you receive if both of the following are true. Taxact free You receive only a small item or other benefit of token value. Taxact free The qualified organization correctly determines that the value of the item or benefit you received is not substantial and informs you that you can deduct your payment in full. Taxact free The organization determines whether the value of an item or benefit is substantial by using Revenue Procedures 90-12 and 92-49 and the inflation adjustment in Revenue Procedure 2012–41. Taxact free Written statement. Taxact free A qualified organization must give you a written statement if you make a payment of more than $75 that is partly a contribution and partly for goods or services. Taxact free The statement must say you can deduct only the amount of your payment that is more than the value of the goods or services you received. Taxact free It must also give you a good faith estimate of the value of those goods or services. Taxact free The organization can give you the statement either when it solicits or when it receives the payment from you. Taxact free Exception. Taxact free An organization will not have to give you this statement if one of the following is true. Taxact free The organization is: A governmental organization described in (5) under Types of Qualified Organizations , earlier, or An organization formed only for religious purposes, and the only benefit you receive is an intangible religious benefit (such as admission to a religious ceremony) that generally is not sold in commercial transactions outside the donative context. Taxact free You receive only items whose value is not substantial as described under Token items , earlier. Taxact free You receive only membership benefits that can be disregarded, as described under Membership fees or dues , earlier. Taxact free Expenses Paid for Student Living With You You may be able to deduct some expenses of having a student live with you. Taxact free You can deduct qualifying expenses for a foreign or American student who: Lives in your home under a written agreement between you and a qualified organization (defined later) as part of a program of the organization to provide educational opportunities for the student, Is not your relative (defined later) or dependent (also defined later), and Is a full-time student in the twelfth or any lower grade at a school in the United States. Taxact free You can deduct up to $50 a month for each full calendar month the student lives with you. Taxact free Any month when conditions (1) through (3) above are met for 15 or more days counts as a full month. Taxact free Qualified organization. Taxact free For these purposes, a qualified organization can be any of the organizations described earlier under Types of Qualified Organizations , except those in (4) and (5). Taxact free For example, if you are providing a home for a student as part of a state or local government program, you cannot deduct your expenses as charitable contributions. Taxact free But see Foster parents under Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services, later, if you provide the home as a foster parent. Taxact free Relative. Taxact free The term “relative” means any of the following persons. Taxact free Your child, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild). Taxact free A legally adopted child is considered your child. Taxact free Your brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister. Taxact free Your father, mother, grandparent, or other direct ancestor. Taxact free Your stepfather or stepmother. Taxact free A son or daughter of your brother or sister. Taxact free A brother or sister of your father or mother. Taxact free Your son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law. Taxact free Dependent. Taxact free For this purpose, the term “dependent” means: A person you can claim as a dependent, or A person you could have claimed as a dependent except that: He or she received gross income of $3,900 or more, He or she filed a joint return, or You, or your spouse if filing jointly, could be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2013 return. Taxact free Foreign students brought to this country under a qualified international education exchange program and placed in American homes for a temporary period generally are not U. Taxact free S. Taxact free residents and cannot be claimed as dependents. Taxact free Qualifying expenses. Taxact free You may be able to deduct the cost of books, tuition, food, clothing, transportation, medical and dental care, entertainment, and other amounts you actually spend for the well-being of the student. Taxact free Expenses that do not qualify. Taxact free You cannot deduct depreciation on your home, the fair market value of lodging, and similar items not considered amounts actually spent by you. Taxact free Nor can you deduct general household expenses, such as taxes, insurance, and repairs. Taxact free Reimbursed expenses. Taxact free In most cases, you cannot claim a charitable contribution deduction if you are compensated or reimbursed for any part of the costs of having a student live with you. Taxact free However, you may be able to claim a charitable contribution deduction for the unreimbursed portion of your expenses if you are reimbursed only for an extraordinary or one-time item, such as a hospital bill or vacation trip, you paid in advance at the request of the student's parents or the sponsoring organization. Taxact free Mutual exchange program. Taxact free You cannot deduct the costs of a foreign student living in your home under a mutual exchange program through which your child will live with a family in a foreign country. Taxact free Reporting expenses. Taxact free For a list of what you must file with your return if you deduct expenses for a student living with you, see Reporting expenses for student living with you under How To Report, later. Taxact free Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services Table 2. Taxact free Volunteers' Questions and Answers If you volunteer for a qualified organization, the following questions and answers may apply to you. Taxact free All of the rules explained in this publication also apply. Taxact free See, in particular, Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services . Taxact free Question Answer I volunteer 6 hours a week in the office of a qualified organization. Taxact free The receptionist is paid $10 an hour for the same work. Taxact free Can I deduct $60 a week for my time? No, you cannot deduct the value of your time or services. Taxact free The office is 30 miles from my home. Taxact free Can I deduct any of my car expenses for these trips? Yes, you can deduct the costs of gas and oil that are directly related to getting to and from the place where you volunteer. Taxact free If you do not want to figure your actual costs, you can deduct 14 cents for each mile. Taxact free I volunteer as a Red Cross nurse's aide at a hospital. Taxact free Can I deduct the cost of the uniforms I must wear? Yes, you can deduct the cost of buying and cleaning your uniforms if the hospital is a qualified organization, the uniforms are not suitable for everyday use, and you must wear them when volunteering. Taxact free I pay a babysitter to watch my children while I volunteer for a qualified organization. Taxact free Can I deduct these costs? No, you cannot deduct payments for childcare expenses as a charitable contribution, even if you would be unable to volunteer without childcare. Taxact free (If you have childcare expenses so you can work for pay, see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. Taxact free ) Although you cannot deduct the value of your services given to a qualified organization, you may be able to deduct some amounts you pay in giving services to a qualified organization. Taxact free The amounts must be: Unreimbursed, Directly connected with the services, Expenses you had only because of the services you gave, and Not personal, living, or family expenses. Taxact free Table 2 contains questions and answers that apply to some individuals who volunteer their services. Taxact free Underprivileged youths selected by charity. Taxact free You can deduct reasonable unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses you pay to allow underprivileged youths to attend athletic events, movies, or dinners. Taxact free The youths must be selected by a charitable organization whose goal is to reduce juvenile delinquency. Taxact free Your own similar expenses in accompanying the youths are not deductible. Taxact free Conventions. Taxact free If a qualified organization selects you to attend a convention as its representative, you can deduct your unreimbursed expenses for travel, including reasonable amounts for meals and lodging, while away from home overnight for the convention. Taxact free However, see Travel , later. Taxact free You cannot deduct personal expenses for sightseeing, fishing parties, theater tickets, or nightclubs. Taxact free You also cannot deduct travel, meals and lodging, and other expenses for your spouse or children. Taxact free You cannot deduct your travel expenses in attending a church convention if you go only as a member of your church rather than as a chosen representative. Taxact free You can, however, deduct unreimbursed expenses that are directly connected with giving services for your church during the convention. Taxact free Uniforms. Taxact free You can deduct the cost and upkeep of uniforms that are not suitable for everyday use and that you must wear while performing donated services for a charitable organization. Taxact free Foster parents. Taxact free You may be able to deduct as a charitable contribution some of the costs of being a foster parent (foster care provider) if you have no profit motive in providing the foster care and are not, in fact, making a profit. Taxact free A qualified organization must select the individuals you take into your home for foster care. Taxact free You can deduct expenses that meet both of the following requirements. Taxact free They are unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses to feed, clothe, and care for the foster child. Taxact free They are incurred primarily to benefit the qualified organization. Taxact free Unreimbursed expenses that you cannot deduct as charitable contributions may be considered support provided by you in determining whether you can claim the foster child as a dependent. Taxact free For details, see Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You cared for a foster child because you wanted to adopt her, not to benefit the agency that placed her in your home. Taxact free Your unreimbursed expenses are not deductible as charitable contributions. Taxact free Church deacon. Taxact free You can deduct as a charitable contribution any unreimbursed expenses you have while in a permanent diaconate program established by your church. Taxact free These expenses include the cost of vestments, books, and transportation required in order to serve in the program as either a deacon candidate or an ordained deacon. Taxact free Car expenses. Taxact free You can deduct as a charitable contribution any unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil, directly related to the use of your car in giving services to a charitable organization. Taxact free You cannot deduct general repair and maintenance expenses, depreciation, registration fees, or the costs of tires or insurance. Taxact free If you do not want to deduct your actual expenses, you can use a standard mileage rate of 14 cents a mile to figure your contribution. Taxact free You can deduct parking fees and tolls whether you use your actual expenses or the standard mileage rate. Taxact free You must keep reliable written records of your car expenses. Taxact free For more information, see Car expenses under Records To Keep, later. Taxact free Travel. Taxact free Generally, you can claim a charitable contribution deduction for travel expenses necessarily incurred while you are away from home performing services for a charitable organization only if there is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel. Taxact free This applies whether you pay the expenses directly or indirectly. Taxact free You are paying the expenses indirectly if you make a payment to the charitable organization and the organization pays for your travel expenses. Taxact free The deduction for travel expenses will not be denied simply because you enjoy providing services to the charitable organization. Taxact free Even if you enjoy the trip, you can take a charitable contribution deduction for your travel expenses if you are on duty in a genuine and substantial sense throughout the trip. Taxact free However, if you have only nominal duties, or if for significant parts of the trip you do not have any duties, you cannot deduct your travel expenses. Taxact free Example 1. Taxact free You are a troop leader for a tax-exempt youth group and you take the group on a camping trip. Taxact free You are responsible for overseeing the setup of the camp and for providing adult supervision for other activities during the entire trip. Taxact free You participate in the activities of the group and enjoy your time with them. Taxact free You oversee the breaking of camp and you transport the group home. Taxact free You can deduct your travel expenses. Taxact free Example 2. Taxact free You sail from one island to another and spend 8 hours a day counting whales and other forms of marine life. Taxact free The project is sponsored by a charitable organization. Taxact free In most circumstances, you cannot deduct your expenses. Taxact free Example 3. Taxact free You work for several hours each morning on an archeological dig sponsored by a charitable organization. Taxact free The rest of the day is free for recreation and sightseeing. Taxact free You cannot take a charitable contribution deduction even though you work very hard during those few hours. Taxact free Example 4. Taxact free You spend the entire day attending a charitable organization's regional meeting as a chosen representative. Taxact free In the evening you go to the theater. Taxact free You can claim your travel expenses as charitable contributions, but you cannot claim the cost of your evening at the theater. Taxact free Daily allowance (per diem). Taxact free If you provide services for a charitable organization and receive a daily allowance to cover reasonable travel expenses, including meals and lodging while away from home overnight, you must include in income any part of the allowance that is more than your deductible travel expenses. Taxact free You may be able to deduct any necessary travel expenses that are more than the allowance. Taxact free Deductible travel expenses. Taxact free These include: Air, rail, and bus transportation, Out-of-pocket expenses for your car, Taxi fares or other costs of transportation between the airport or station and your hotel, Lodging costs, and The cost of meals. Taxact free Because these travel expenses are not business-related, they are not subject to the same limits as business related expenses. Taxact free For information on business travel expenses, see Travel in Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses. Taxact free Expenses of Whaling Captains You may be able to deduct as a charitable contribution any reasonable and necessary whaling expenses you pay during the year to carry out sanctioned whaling activities. Taxact free The deduction is limited to $10,000 a year. Taxact free To claim the deduction, you must be recognized by the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission as a whaling captain charged with the responsibility of maintaining and carrying out sanctioned whaling activities. Taxact free Sanctioned whaling activities are subsistence bowhead whale hunting activities conducted under the management plan of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. Taxact free Whaling expenses include expenses for: Acquiring and maintaining whaling boats, weapons, and gear used in sanctioned whaling activities, Supplying food for the crew and other provisions for carrying out these activities, and Storing and distributing the catch from these activities. Taxact free You must keep records showing the time, place, date, amount, and nature of the expenses. Taxact free For details, see Revenue Procedure 2006-50, which is on page 944 of Internal Revenue Bulletin 2006-47 at www. Taxact free irs. Taxact free gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb06-47. Taxact free pdf. Taxact free Contributions You Cannot Deduct There are some contributions you cannot deduct and others you can deduct only in part. Taxact free You cannot deduct as a charitable contribution: A contribution to a specific individual, A contribution to a nonqualified organization, The part of a contribution from which you receive or expect to receive a benefit, The value of your time or services, Your personal expenses, A qualified charitable distribution from an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), Appraisal fees, Certain contributions to donor-advised funds, or Certain contributions of partial interests in property. Taxact free Detailed discussions of these items follow. Taxact free Contributions to Individuals You cannot deduct contributions to specific individuals, including the following. Taxact free Contributions to fraternal societies made for the purpose of paying medical or burial expenses of members. Taxact free Contributions to individuals who are needy or worthy. Taxact free You cannot deduct these contributions even if you make them to a qualified organization for the benefit of a specific person. Taxact free But you can deduct a contribution to a qualified organization that helps needy or worthy individuals if you do not indicate that your contribution is for a specific person. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You can deduct contributions to a qualified organization for flood relief, hurricane relief, or other disaster relief. Taxact free However, you cannot deduct contributions earmarked for relief of a particular individual or family. Taxact free Payments to a member of the clergy that can be spent as he or she wishes, such as for personal expenses. Taxact free Expenses you paid for another person who provided services to a qualified organization. Taxact free Example. Taxact free Your son does missionary work. Taxact free You pay his expenses. Taxact free You cannot claim a deduction for your son's unreimbursed expenses related to his contribution of services. Taxact free Payments to a hospital that are for a specific patient's care or for services for a specific patient. Taxact free You cannot deduct these payments even if the hospital is operated by a city, state, or other qualified organization. Taxact free Contributions to Nonqualified Organizations You cannot deduct contributions to organizations that are not qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions, including the following. Taxact free Certain state bar associations if: The bar is not a political subdivision of a state, The bar has private, as well as public, purposes, such as promoting the professional interests of members, and Your contribution is unrestricted and can be used for private purposes. Taxact free Chambers of commerce and other business leagues or organizations. Taxact free Civic leagues and associations. Taxact free Communist organizations. Taxact free Country clubs and other social clubs. Taxact free Foreign organizations other than certain Canadian, Israeli, or Mexican charitable organizations. Taxact free (See Canadian charities , Mexican charities , and Israeli charities under Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions, earlier. Taxact free ) Also, you cannot deduct a contribution you made to any qualifying organization if the contribution is earmarked to go to a foreign organization. Taxact free However, certain contributions to a qualified organization for use in a program conducted by a foreign charity may be deductible as long as they are not earmarked to go to the foreign charity. Taxact free For the contribution to be deductible, the qualified organization must approve the program as furthering its own exempt purposes and must keep control over the use of the contributed funds. Taxact free The contribution is also deductible if the foreign charity is only an administrative arm of the qualified organization. Taxact free Homeowners' associations. Taxact free Labor unions. Taxact free But you may be able to deduct union dues as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income limit, on Schedule A (Form 1040). Taxact free See Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions. Taxact free Political organizations and candidates. Taxact free Contributions From Which You Benefit If you receive or expect to receive a financial or economic benefit as a result of making a contribution to a qualified organization, you cannot deduct the part of the contribution that represents the value of the benefit you receive. Taxact free See Contributions From Which You Benefit under Contributions You Can Deduct, earlier. Taxact free These contributions include the following. Taxact free Contributions for lobbying. Taxact free This includes amounts you earmark for use in, or in connection with, influencing specific legislation. Taxact free Contributions to a retirement home for room, board, maintenance, or admittance. Taxact free Also, if the amount of your contribution depends on the type or size of apartment you will occupy, it is not a charitable contribution. Taxact free Costs of raffles, bingo, lottery, etc. Taxact free You cannot deduct as a charitable contribution amounts you pay to buy raffle or lottery tickets or to play bingo or other games of chance. Taxact free For information on how to report gambling winnings and losses, see Deductions Not Subject to the 2% Limit in Publication 529. Taxact free Dues to fraternal orders and similar groups. Taxact free However, see Membership fees or dues under Contributions From Which You Benefit, earlier. Taxact free Tuition, or amounts you pay instead of tuition. Taxact free You cannot deduct as a charitable contribution amounts you pay as tuition even if you pay them for children to attend parochial schools or qualifying nonprofit daycare centers. Taxact free You also cannot deduct any fixed amount you must pay in addition to, or instead of, tuition to enroll in a private school, even if it is designated as a “donation. Taxact free ” Contributions connected with split-dollar insurance arrangements. Taxact free You cannot deduct any part of a contribution to a charitable organization if, in connection with the contribution, the organization directly or indirectly pays, has paid, or is expected to pay any premium on any life insurance, annuity, or endowment contract for which you, any member of your family, or any other person chosen by you (other than a qualified charitable organization) is a beneficiary. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You donate money to a charitable organization. Taxact free The charity uses the money to purchase a cash value life insurance policy. Taxact free The beneficiaries under the insurance policy include members of your family. Taxact free Even though the charity may eventually get some benefit out of the insurance policy, you cannot deduct any part of the donation. Taxact free Qualified Charitable Distributions A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is a distribution made directly by the trustee of your individual retirement arrangement (IRA), other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA, to certain qualified organizations. Taxact free You must have been at least age 70½ when the distribution was made. Taxact free Your total QCDs for the year cannot be more than $100,000. Taxact free If all the requirements are met, a QCD is nontaxable, but you cannot claim a charitable contribution deduction for a QCD. Taxact free See Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), for more information about QCDs. Taxact free Value of Time or Services You cannot deduct the value of your time or services, including: Blood donations to the American Red Cross or to blood banks, and The value of income lost while you work as an unpaid volunteer for a qualified organization. Taxact free Personal Expenses You cannot deduct personal, living, or family expenses, such as the following items. Taxact free The cost of meals you eat while you perform services for a qualified organization, unless it is necessary for you to be away from home overnight while performing the services. Taxact free Adoption expenses, including fees paid to an adoption agency and the costs of keeping a child in your home before adoption is final. Taxact free However, you may be able to claim a tax credit for these expenses. Taxact free Also, you may be able to exclude from your gross income amounts paid or reimbursed by your employer for your adoption expenses. Taxact free See Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, and its instructions, for more information. Taxact free You also may be able to claim an exemption for the child. Taxact free See Exemptions for Dependents in Publication 501 for more information. Taxact free Appraisal Fees You cannot deduct as a charitable contribution any fees you pay to find the fair market value of donated property. Taxact free But you can claim them, subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income limit, as a miscellaneous itemized deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040). Taxact free See Deductions Subject to the 2% Limit in Publication 529 for more information. Taxact free Contributions to Donor-Advised Funds You cannot deduct a contribution to a donor-advised fund if: The qualified organization that sponsors the fund is a war veterans' organization, a fraternal society, or a nonprofit cemetery company, or You do not have an acknowledgment from that sponsoring organization that it has exclusive legal control over the assets contributed. Taxact free There are also other circumstances in which you cannot deduct your contribution to a donor-advised fund. Taxact free Generally, a donor-advised fund is a fund or account in which a donor can, because of being a donor, advise the fund how to distribute or invest amounts held in the fund. Taxact free For details, see Internal Revenue Code section 170(f)(18). Taxact free Partial Interest in Property Generally, you cannot deduct a contribution of less than your entire interest in property. Taxact free For details, see Partial Interest in Property under Contributions of Property, later. Taxact free Contributions of Property If you contribute property to a qualified organization, the amount of your charitable contribution is generally the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution. Taxact free However, if the property has increased in value, you may have to make some adjustments to the amount of your deduction. Taxact free See Giving Property That Has Increased in Value , later. Taxact free For information about the records you must keep and the information you must furnish with your return if you donate property, see Records To Keep and How To Report , later. Taxact free Contributions Subject to Special Rules Special rules apply if you contribute: Clothing or household items, A car, boat, or airplane, Taxidermy property, Property subject to a debt, A partial interest in property, A fractional interest in tangible personal property, A qualified conservation contribution, A future interest in tangible personal property, Inventory from your business, or A patent or other intellectual property. Taxact free These special rules are described next. Taxact free Clothing and Household Items You cannot take a deduction for clothing or household items you donate unless the clothing or household items are in good used condition or better. Taxact free Exception. Taxact free You can take a deduction for a contribution of an item of clothing or a household item that is not in good used condition or better if you deduct more than $500 for it and include a qualified appraisal of it with your return. Taxact free Household items. Taxact free Household items include: Furniture and furnishings, Electronics, Appliances, Linens, and Other similar items. Taxact free Household items do not include: Food, Paintings, antiques, and other objects of art, Jewelry and gems, and Collections. Taxact free Fair market value. Taxact free To determine the fair market value of these items, use the rules under Determining Fair Market Value , later. Taxact free Cars, Boats, and Airplanes The following rules apply to any donation of a qualified vehicle. Taxact free A qualified vehicle is: A car or any motor vehicle manufactured mainly for use on public streets, roads, and highways, A boat, or An airplane. Taxact free Deduction more than $500. Taxact free If you donate a qualified vehicle with a claimed fair market value of more than $500, you can deduct the smaller of: The gross proceeds from the sale of the vehicle by the organization, or The vehicle's fair market value on the date of the contribution. Taxact free If the vehicle's fair market value was more than your cost or other basis, you may have to reduce the fair market value to figure the deductible amount, as described under Giving Property That Has Increased in Value , later. Taxact free Form 1098-C. Taxact free You must attach to your return Copy B of the Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes, (or other statement containing the same information as Form 1098-C) you received from the organization. Taxact free The Form 1098-C (or other statement) will show the gross proceeds from the sale of the vehicle. Taxact free If you e-file your return, you must: Attach Copy B of Form 1098-C to Form 8453, U. Taxact free S. Taxact free Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return, and mail the forms to the IRS, or Include Copy B of Form 1098-C as a pdf attachment if your software program allows it. Taxact free If you do not attach Form 1098-C (or other statement), you cannot deduct your contribution. Taxact free You must get Form 1098-C (or other statement) within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle. Taxact free But if exception 1 or 2 (described later) applies, you must get Form 1098-C (or other statement) within 30 days of your donation. Taxact free Filing deadline approaching and still no Form 1098-C. Taxact free If the filing deadline is approaching and you still do not have a Form 1098-C, you have two choices. Taxact free Request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return. Taxact free You can get this extension by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U. Taxact free S. Taxact free Individual Income Tax Return. Taxact free For more information, see the instructions for Form 4868. Taxact free File the return on time without claiming the deduction for the qualified vehicle. Taxact free After receiving the Form 1098-C, file an amended return, Form 1040X, Amended U. Taxact free S. Taxact free Individual Income Tax Return, claiming the deduction. Taxact free Attach Copy B of Form 1098-C (or other statement) to the amended return. Taxact free Exceptions. Taxact free There are two exceptions to the rules just described for deductions of more than $500. Taxact free Exception 1—vehicle used or improved by organization. Taxact free If the qualified organization makes a significant intervening use of or material improvement to the vehicle before transferring it, you generally can deduct the vehicle's fair market value at the time of the contribution. Taxact free But if the vehicle's fair market value was more than your cost or other basis, you may have to reduce the fair market value to get the deductible amount, as described under Giving Property That Has Increased in Value , later. Taxact free The Form 1098-C (or other statement) will show whether this exception applies. Taxact free Exception 2—vehicle given or sold to needy individual. Taxact free If the qualified organization will give the vehicle, or sell it for a price well below fair market value, to a needy individual to further the organization's charitable purpose, you generally can deduct the vehicle's fair market value at the time of the contribution. Taxact free But if the vehicle's fair market value was more than your cost or other basis, you may have to reduce the fair market value to get the deductible amount, as described under Giving Property That Has Increased in Value , later. Taxact free The Form 1098-C (or other statement) will show whether this exception applies. Taxact free This exception does not apply if the organization sells the vehicle at auction. Taxact free In that case, you cannot deduct the vehicle's fair market value. Taxact free Example. Taxact free Anita donates a used car to a qualified organization. Taxact free She bought it 3 years ago for $9,000. Taxact free A used car guide shows the fair market value for this type of car is $6,000. Taxact free However, Anita gets a Form 1098-C from the organization showing the car was sold for $2,900. Taxact free Neither exception 1 nor exception 2 applies. Taxact free If Anita itemizes her deductions, she can deduct $2,900 for her donation. Taxact free She must attach Form 1098-C and Form 8283 to her return. Taxact free Deduction $500 or less. Taxact free If the qualified organization sells the vehicle for $500 or less and exceptions 1 and 2 do not apply, you can deduct the smaller of: $500, or The vehicle's fair market value on the date of the contribution. Taxact free But if the vehicle's fair market value was more than your cost or other basis, you may have to reduce the fair market value to get the deductible amount, as described under Giving Property That Has Increased in Value , later. Taxact free If the vehicle's fair market value is at least $250 but not more than $500, you must have a written statement from the qualified organization acknowledging your donation. Taxact free The statement must contain the information and meet the tests for an acknowledgment described under Contributions of $250 or More under Records To Keep, later. Taxact free Fair market value. Taxact free To determine a vehicle's fair market value, use the rules described under Determining Fair Market Value , later. Taxact free Donations of inventory. Taxact free The vehicle donation rules just described do not apply to donations of inventory. Taxact free For example, these rules do not apply if you are a car dealer who donates a car you had been holding for sale to customers. Taxact free See Inventory , later. Taxact free Taxidermy Property If you donate taxidermy property to a qualified organization, your deduction is limited to your basis in the property or its fair market value, whichever is less. Taxact free This applies if you prepared, stuffed, or mounted the property or paid or incurred the cost of preparing, stuffing, or mounting the property. Taxact free Your basis for this purpose includes only the cost of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the property. Taxact free Your basis does not include transportation or travel costs. Taxact free It also does not include the direct or indirect costs for hunting or killing an animal, such as equipment costs. Taxact free In addition, it does not include the value of your time. Taxact free Taxidermy property means any work of art that: Is the reproduction or preservation of an animal, in whole or in part, Is prepared, stuffed, or mounted to recreate one or more characteristics of the animal, and Contains a part of the body of the dead animal. Taxact free Property Subject to a Debt If you contribute property subject to a debt (such as a mortgage), you must reduce the fair market value of the property by: Any allowable deduction for interest you paid (or will pay) that is attributable to any period after the contribution, and If the property is a bond, the lesser of: Any allowable deduction for interest you paid (or will pay) to buy or carry the bond that is attributable to any period before the contribution, or The interest, including bond discount, receivable on the bond that is attributable to any period before the contribution, and that is not includible in your income due to your accounting method. Taxact free This prevents you from deducting the same amount as both investment interest and a charitable contribution. Taxact free If the recipient (or another person) assumes the debt, you must also reduce the fair market value of the property by the amount of the outstanding debt assumed. Taxact free The amount of the debt is also treated as an amount realized on the sale or exchange of property for purposes of figuring your taxable gain (if any). Taxact free For more information, see Bargain Sales under Giving Property That Has Increased in Value, later. Taxact free Partial Interest in Property Generally, you cannot deduct a charitable contribution of less than your entire interest in property. Taxact free Right to use property. Taxact free A contribution of the right to use property is a contribution of less than your entire interest in that property and is not deductible. Taxact free Example 1. Taxact free You own a 10-story office building and donate rent-free use of the top floor to a charitable organization. Taxact free Because you still own the building, you have contributed a partial interest in the property and cannot take a deduction for the contribution. Taxact free Example 2. Taxact free Mandy White owns a vacation home at the beach that she sometimes rents to others. Taxact free For a fund-raising auction at her church, she donated the right to use the vacation home for 1 week. Taxact free At the auction, the church received and accepted a bid from Lauren Green equal to the fair rental value of the home for 1 week. Taxact free Mandy cannot claim a deduction because of the partial interest rule. Taxact free Lauren cannot claim a deduction either, because she received a benefit equal to the amount of her payment. Taxact free See Contributions From Which You Benefit , earlier. Taxact free Exceptions. Taxact free You can deduct a charitable contribution of a partial interest in property only if that interest represents one of the following items. Taxact free A remainder interest in your personal home or farm. Taxact free A remainder interest is one that passes to a beneficiary after the end of an earlier interest in the property. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You keep the right to live in your home during your lifetime and give your church a remainder interest that begins upon your death. Taxact free You can deduct the value of the remainder interest. Taxact free An undivided part of your entire interest. Taxact free This must consist of a part of every substantial interest or right you own in the property and must last as long as your interest in the property lasts. Taxact free But see Fractional Interest in Tangible Personal Property , later. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You contribute voting stock to a qualified organization but keep the right to vote the stock. Taxact free The right to vote is a substantial right in the stock. Taxact free You have not contributed an undivided part of your entire interest and cannot deduct your contribution. Taxact free A partial interest that would be deductible if transferred to certain types of trusts. Taxact free A qualified conservation contribution (defined later). Taxact free For information about how to figure the value of a contribution of a partial interest in property, see Partial Interest in Property Not in Trust in Publication 561. Taxact free Fractional Interest in Tangible Personal Property You cannot deduct a charitable contribution of a fractional interest in tangible personal property unless all interests in the property are held immediately before the contribution by: You, or You and the qualifying organization receiving the contribution. Taxact free If you make an additional contribution later, the fair market value of that contribution will be determined by using the smaller of: The fair market value of the property at the time of the initial contribution, or The fair market value of the property at the time of the additional contribution. Taxact free Tangible personal property is defined later under Future Interest in Tangible Personal Property . Taxact free A fractional interest in property is an undivided portion of your entire interest in the property. Taxact free Example. Taxact free An undivided one-quarter interest in a painting that entitles an art museum to possession of the painting for 3 months of each year is a fractional interest in the property. Taxact free Recapture of deduction. Taxact free You must recapture your charitable contribution deduction by including it in your income if both of the following statements are true. Taxact free You contributed a fractional interest in tangible personal property after August 17, 2006. Taxact free You do not contribute the rest of your interests in the property to the original recipient or, if it no longer exists, another qualified organization on or before the earlier of: The date that is 10 years after the date of the initial contribution, or The date of your death. Taxact free Recapture is also required if the qualified organization has not taken substantial physical possession of the property and used it in a way related to the organization's purpose during the period beginning on the date of the initial contribution and ending on the earlier of: The date that is 10 years after the date of the initial contribution, or The date of your death. Taxact free Additional tax. Taxact free If you must recapture your deduction, you must also pay interest and an additional tax equal to 10% of the amount recaptured. Taxact free Qualified Conservation Contribution A qualified conservation contribution is a contribution of a qualified real property interest to a qualified organization to be used only for conservation purposes. Taxact free Qualified organization. Taxact free For purposes of a qualified conservation contribution, a qualified organization is: A governmental unit, A publicly supported charity, or An organization controlled by, and operated for the exclusive benefit of, a governmental unit or a publicly supported charity. Taxact free The organization also must have a commitment to protect the conservation purposes of the donation and must have the resources to enforce the restrictions. Taxact free A publicly supported charity is an organization of the type described in (1) under Types of Qualified Organizations , earlier, that normally receives a substantial part of its support, other than income from its exempt activities, from direct or indirect contributions from the general public or from governmental units. Taxact free Qualified real property interest. Taxact free This is any of the following interests in real property. Taxact free Your entire interest in real estate other than a mineral interest (subsurface oil, gas, or other minerals, and the right of access to these minerals). Taxact free A remainder interest. Taxact free A restriction (granted in perpetuity) on the use that may be made of the real property. Taxact free Conservation purposes. Taxact free Your contribution must be made only for one of the following conservation purposes. Taxact free Preserving land areas for outdoor recreation by, or for the education of, the general public. Taxact free Protecting a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife, or plants, or a similar ecosystem. Taxact free Preserving open space, including farmland and forest land, if it yields a significant public benefit. Taxact free The open space must be preserved either for the scenic enjoyment of the general public or under a clearly defined federal, state, or local governmental conservation policy. Taxact free Preserving a historically important land area or a certified historic structure. Taxact free Building in registered historic district. Taxact free If a building in a registered historic district is a certified historic structure, a contribution of a qualified real property interest that is an easement or other restriction on the exterior of the building is deductible only if it meets all of the following conditions. Taxact free The restriction must preserve the entire exterior of the building (including its front, sides, rear, and height) and must prohibit any change to the exterior of the building that is inconsistent with its historical character. Taxact free You and the organization receiving the contribution must enter into a written agreement certifying, under penalty of perjury, that the organization: Is a qualified organization with a purpose of environmental protection, land conservation, open space preservation, or historic preservation, and Has the resources to manage and enforce the restriction and a commitment to do so. Taxact free You must include with your return: A qualified appraisal, Photographs of the building's entire exterior, and A description of all restrictions on development of the building, such as zoning laws and restrictive covenants. Taxact free If you claimed the rehabilitation credit for the building for any of the 5 years before the year of the contribution, your charitable deduction is reduced. Taxact free For more information, see Form 3468, Investment Credit, and Internal Revenue Code section 170(f)(14). Taxact free If you claim a deduction of more than $10,000, your deduction will not be allowed unless you pay a $500 filing fee. Taxact free See Form 8283-V, Payment Voucher for Filing Fee Under Section 170(f)(13), and its instructions. Taxact free You may be able to deduct the filing fee as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income limit, on Schedule A (Form 1040). Taxact free See Deductions Subject to the 2% Limit in Publication 529 for more information. Taxact free More information. Taxact free For information about determining the fair market value of qualified conservation contributions, see Publication 561. Taxact free For information about the limits that apply to deductions for this type of contribution, see Limits on Deductions , later. Taxact free For more information about qualified conservation contributions, see Regulations section 1. Taxact free 170A-14. Taxact free Future Interest in Tangible Personal Property You cannot deduct the value of a charitable contribution of a future interest in tangible personal property until all intervening interests in and rights to the actual possession or enjoyment of the property have either expired or been turned over to someone other than yourself, a related person, or a related organization. Taxact free But see Fractional Interest in Tangible Personal Property , earlier, and Tangible personal property put to unrelated use , later. Taxact free Related persons include your spouse, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and parents. Taxact free Related organizations may include a partnership or corporation in which you have an interest, or an estate or trust with which you have a connection. Taxact free Tangible personal property. Taxact free This is any property, other than land or buildings, that can be seen or touched. Taxact free It includes furniture, books, jewelry, paintings, and cars. Taxact free Future interest. Taxact free This is any interest that is to begin at some future time, regardless of whether it is designated as a future interest under state law. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You own an antique car that you contribute to a museum. Taxact free You give up ownership, but retain the right to keep the car in your garage with your personal collection. Taxact free Because you keep an interest in the property, you cannot deduct the contribution. Taxact free If you turn the car over to the museum in a later year, giving up all rights to its use, possession, and enjoyment, you can take a deduction for the contribution in that later year. Taxact free Inventory If you contribute inventory (property you sell in the course of your business), the amount you can deduct is the smaller of its fair market value on the day you contributed it or its basis. Taxact free The basis of contributed inventory is any cost incurred for the inventory in an earlier year that you would otherwise include in your opening inventory for the year of the contribution. Taxact free You must remove the amount of your charitable contribution deduction from your opening inventory. Taxact free It is not part of the cost of goods sold. Taxact free If the cost of donated inventory is not included in your opening inventory, the inventory's basis is zero and you cannot claim a charitable contribution deduction. Taxact free Treat the inventory's cost as you would ordinarily treat it under your method of accounting. Taxact free For example, include the purchase price of inventory bought and donated in the same year in the cost of goods sold for that year. Taxact free A special rule applies to certain donations of food inventory. Taxact free See Food Inventory, later. Taxact free Patents and Other Intellectual Property If you donate intellectual property to a qualified organization, your deduction is limited to the basis of the property or the fair market value of the property, whichever is smaller. Taxact free Intellectual property means any of the following: Patents. Taxact free Copyrights (other than a copyright described in Internal Revenue Code sections 1221(a)(3) or 1231(b)(1)(C)). Taxact free Trademarks. Taxact free Trade names. Taxact free Trade secrets. Taxact free Know-how. Taxact free Software (other than software described in Internal Revenue Code section 197(e)(3)(A)(i)). Taxact free Other similar property or applications or registrations of such property. Taxact free Additional deduction based on income. Taxact free You may be able to claim additional charitable contribution deductions in the year of the contribution and years following, based on the income, if any, from the donated property. Taxact free The following table shows the percentage of income from the property that you can deduct for each of your tax years ending on or after the date of the contribution. Taxact free In the table, “tax year 1,” for example, means your first tax year ending on or after the date of the contribution. Taxact free However, you can take the additional deduction only to the extent the total of the amounts figured using this table is more than the amount of the deduction claimed for the original donation of the property. Taxact free After the legal life of the intellectual property ends, or after the 10th anniversary of the donation, whichever is earlier, no additional deduction is allowed. Taxact free The additional deductions cannot be taken for intellectual property donated to certain private foundations. Taxact free Tax year Deductible percentage 1 100% 2 100% 3 90% 4 80% 5 70% 6 60% 7 50% 8 40% 9 30% 10 20% 11 10% 12 10% Reporting requirements. Taxact free You must inform the organization at the time of the donation that you intend to treat the donation as a contribution subject to the provisions just discussed. Taxact free The organization is required to file an information return showing the income from the property, with a copy to you. Taxact free This is done on Form 8899, Notice of Income From Donated Intellectual Property. Taxact free Determining Fair Market Value This section discusses general guidelines for determining the fair market value of various types of donated property. Taxact free Publication 561 contains a more complete discussion. Taxact free Fair market value is the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither having to buy or sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of all the relevant facts. Taxact free Used clothing. Taxact free The fair market value of used clothing and other personal items is usually far less than the price you paid for them. Taxact free There are no fixed formulas or methods for finding the value of items of clothing. Taxact free You should claim as the value the price that buyers of used items actually pay in used clothing stores, such as consignment or thrift shops. Taxact free Also see Clothing and Household Items , earlier. Taxact free Example. Taxact free Kristin donated a coat to a thrift store operated by her church. Taxact free She paid $300 for the coat 3 years ago. Taxact free Similar coats in the thrift store sell for $50. Taxact free The fair market value of the coat is $50. Taxact free Kristin's donation is limited to $50. Taxact free Household items. Taxact free The fair market value of used household items, such as furniture, appliances, and linens, is usually much lower than the price paid when new. Taxact free These items may have little or no market value because they are in a worn condition, out of style, or no longer useful. Taxact free For these reasons, formulas (such as using a percentage of the cost to buy a new replacement item) are not acceptable in determining value. Taxact free You should support your valuation with photographs, canceled checks, receipts from your purchase of the items, or other evidence. Taxact free Magazine or newspaper articles and photographs that describe the items and statements by the recipients of the items are also useful. Taxact free Do not include any of this evidence with your tax return. Taxact free If the property is valuable because it is old or unique, see the discussion under Paintings, Antiques, and Other Objects of Art in Publication 561. Taxact free Also see Clothing and Household Items , earlier. Taxact free Cars, boats, and airplanes. Taxact free If you contribute a car, boat, or airplane to a charitable organization, you must determine its fair market value. Taxact free Boats. Taxact free Except for small, inexpensive boats, the valuation of boats should be based on an appraisal by a marine surveyor or appraiser because the physical condition is critical to the value. Taxact free Cars. Taxact free Certain commercial firms and trade organizations publish used car pricing guides, commonly called “blue books,” containing complete dealer sale prices or dealer average prices for recent model years. Taxact free The guides may be published monthly or seasonally, and for different regions of the country. Taxact free These guides also provide estimates for adjusting for unusual equipment, unusual mileage, and physical condition. Taxact free The prices are not “official” and these publications are not considered an appraisal of any specific donated property. Taxact free But they do provide clues for making an appraisal and suggest relative prices for comparison with current sales and offerings in your area. Taxact free These publications are sometimes available from public libraries, or from the loan officer at a bank, credit union, or finance company. Taxact free You can also find used car pricing information on the Internet. Taxact free To find the fair market value of a donated car, use the price listed in a used car guide for a private party sale, not the dealer retail value. Taxact free However, the fair market value may be less if the car has engine trouble, body damage, high mileage, or any type of excessive wear. Taxact free The fair market value of a donated car is the same as the price listed in a used car guide for a private party sale only if the guide lists a sales price for a car that is the same make, model, and year, sold in the same area, in the same condition, with the same or similar options or accessories, and with the same or similar warranties as the donated car. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You donate a used car in poor condition to a local high school for use by students studying car repair. Taxact free A used car guide shows the dealer retail value for this type of car in poor condition is $1,600. Taxact free However, the guide shows the price for a private party sale of the car is only $750. Taxact free The fair market value of the car is considered to be $750. Taxact free Large quantities. Taxact free If you contribute a large number of the same item, fair market value is the price at which comparable numbers of the item are being sold. Taxact free Example. Taxact free You purchase 500 bibles for $1,000. Taxact free The person who sells them to you says the retail value of these bibles is $3,000. Taxact free If you contribute the bibles to a qualified organization, you can claim a deduction only for the price at which similar numbers of the same bible are currently being sold. Taxact free Your charitable contribution is $1,000, unless you can show that similar numbers of that bible wer